Belagavi: The Legislative Council on Wednesday passed the Karnataka Public Safety (Measures) Enforcement Bill, which makes it mandatory for commercial and industrial establishments, educational and religious institutes, hospitals and various other places in corporation limits to install CCTV cameras.
The Bill also applies to railway stations, bus-stands and sports complexes. This rule will cover Bengaluru and other municipal corporations in other cities in the state. The bill which was passed in the Legislative Council, was tabled by Home Minister R. Ramalinga Reddy.
Piloting the bill Home Minister Reddy said the bill makes it mandatory for owners of the establishments to make available video footage from the CCTV cameras, if sought by the police for investigation.
Mr Reddy added that the bill aims at reducing crime, preventing terrorism and other illegal activities in the State. "The CCTV should be installed at the owner's cost which would be Rs 8000 to Rs 10,000. The government has the right to call for any footage needed for any investigation. Hence, it is mandatory to keep all footages for 30 days. Refusing to share the footage attracts a fine of Rs 5000," he claimed.
The bill also requires the institutions to file periodic reports to the respective police inspectors of their jurisdiction, stating that public safety measure instruments are in good working condition. "Failing to report this would attract a fine of Rs 5000 for the first time and Rs 10,000 for the second. The period of reporting is once every three months. The police inspector has the power to inspect establishments to check if safety measures are in compliance," the bill stated.
